IN THE WURDWAN. 59 



continue, as I felt that a day's rest would be beneficial, 

 my feet having been considerably chafed by all the 

 scratching and clawing they had been put to. 



18th May. I lay in bed later than usual, intentionally, 

 not at once obeying the call of the clamorous cock, or the 

 blithely-singing birds, who begin their concert in these 

 parts ere day-light does appear. When, however, day- 

 light unmistakably forced its appearance under my tent, 

 I up and dressed in shooting trim, resolute to tackle the 

 mountain, however steep, and pursue the ibex anywhere 

 and everywhere. Such was the effect of a good night's 

 rest : so, summoning the drowsy classee, Buddoo, to 

 throw open the closely folded entrance, I went outside, 

 and found there a most unpromising morning, the moun- 

 tains frowning grimly down, when occasionally visible 

 through dense, chill-looking masses of fog, snow all over 

 the heights, damp, slop, and general discomfort every- 

 where. Nature, however grand in features, looked unin- 

 viting and repulsive. 



I looked abroad, and shuddered at the prospect of 

 breasting the hill side. Phuttoo came shivering towards 

 me, and, making his salaam, told me we must not attempt 

 the mountain in such weather. Quite satisfied with ask- 

 ing him, if such was really his advice, and being answered 

 in the affirmative, I ordered Buddoo to close the tent, and 

 pulled the blankets over me, really congratulating myself 

 on being prevented fulfilling my desires and intentions. 



19th May. The rain having fallen heavily during the 

 night, the atmosphere, at the early hour in which I rose 

 and peeped out of my tent, was laden with dense vapours 

 which, heaving and swelling, moved up and down the 

 valley, now revealing, now concealing portions of its bold 

 features, and altogether creating a strikingly impressive 

 and interesting effect on the beautiful, though rugged, 



